Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms, causes, degrees

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a pathology accompanied by degenerative processes in cartilaginous tissues.

This disorder leads to damage to all joints, but the intervertebral discs are predominantly affected.

If you experience lower back pain, see a doctor immediately. If you do not do this, the pathology will lead to serious complications.

What is lumbar osteochondrosis?

This term refers to a disease that causes damage to the intervertebral discs. They are a gel-like substance found in the annulus fibrosus. The upper and lower parts of the discs are covered by thin cartilage tissue.

After a while, the gel-like mass loses moisture, becomes thinner and less elastic. Deformation of the cartilage tissue occurs as a result of the load. The consequence of these processes is the formation of a protrusion or hernia. The formations provoke compression of the nerve roots, which causes the disease.

Lumbar osteochondrosis is quite common and has negative health consequences. Sciatic nerve entrapment often occurs with this disorder. As a result, there is a risk of severe pain.

Possible complications of the disease

If the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is not started in time, the pathology has dangerous health consequences. The disease can cause reactive spondylosis. It also provokes the appearance of osteoarthritis of the knee or hip joint.

In women, damage to the lumbar vertebrae can cause complications during pregnancy. This is especially dangerous in the third trimester, which is characterized by a high load on the spine. In men, degenerative processes cause potency problems.

In addition, the lack of adequate and timely therapy has the following consequences:

• sciatica;
• spinal deformity;
• loss of feeling in the limbs;
• instability of the spine;
• pathologies of internal organs;
• radiculitis;
• complete loss of motor activity.

The main symptoms and signs of lumbar osteochondrosis

It is characterized by slow development of osteochondrosis. The diagnosis is often made in advanced situations when severe manifestations are present. That is why it is so important to identify the signs of lumbar osteochondrosis in time. These are the following:

• Lower back pain. In the early stages of the disease, this symptom appears only after lifting weights. As the pathology progresses, the pain syndrome becomes unbearable.
• Reduced physical activity. This symptom is caused by the compression of nerve fibers. When bending or turning, there is an unpleasant sensation that radiates to the legs.
• Loss of sensation in the lower limbs. With the development of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms of numbness are caused by permanent damage to the nerve roots. This symptom increases and decreases from time to time. In this case, the patient experiences a burning sensation, numbness, tingling in the lumbar region and below.
• A local decrease in skin temperature. It will be pale, dry and flabby.
• Excessive sweating.
• Spinal syndrome. This symptom appears in advanced cases. People often experience sexual dysfunction and urinary problems.

Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis

The occurrence of osteochondrosis is caused by an increased load on the spine. Excessive pressure on the lower back causes the cartilage structure to break down. The risk of developing the disease increases due to the following factors:

• Bad posture.
• Physical inactivity. Lack of physical activity leads to muscle weakness.
• Calcium metabolism disorder.
• Chronic deficiency of micro and macro elements. This could be due to an eating disorder.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Hypothermia.
• Stress factors.
• Strength or extreme sports.
• Damage to the locomotor system.
• Overweight.

What are the stages of the disease?

The disease develops gradually. Doctors distinguish the following stages of lumbar osteochondrosis:

• First, at this stage, there is a tolerable pain in the lumbar region, which increases after training. This symptom indicates destructive processes in the discs. The person experiences a burning and tingling sensation. Sometimes these symptoms radiate to the buttocks.
• Second, at this stage, the distance between the vertebrae decreases and the annulus fibrosus is destroyed. The person experiences sharp pain. During movement, it radiates to the hips, buttocks and legs. The affected area may feel cold or burning. During a seizure, the patient is forced to lean in the opposite direction.
• Third, at this stage, the fibrous ring is completely destroyed. Vertebral tissues are severely deformed. This provokes the appearance of an intervertebral hernia. With the development of this degree of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, constant, high-intensity pain occurs.
• The fourth is accompanied by abnormal growth of discs and bone destruction. At this stage, the cartilage tissue atrophies to a great extent. This interferes with a person's motor activity and even causes disability.

When should you see a doctor?

If you experience discomfort in the lumbar region, consult a doctor immediately. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, the specialist prescribes diagnostic tests. For this, the patient is assessed and examined. The doctor also prescribes X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging.

Complex therapy is used to treat the pathology. You need to solve the following problems:

• stop inflammation;
• strengthens the muscle tissue of the legs;
• eliminates the pain syndrome;
• improves metabolic processes and blood circulation;
• normalizes the functioning of the pelvic organs;
• restore sensitivity.

The pathology is characterized by the progression of pain. In the initial stage, it is sufficient to use tablet painkillers. In advanced situations, it is impossible to do without injectable drugs.

Drug treatment includes the use of the following drugs:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They help to cope with swelling and inflammation. Thanks to this, compression of blood vessels and fibers can be eliminated and pain can be reduced. The most effective remedies include Diclofenac, Nimesil.
• Pain relievers. They are prescribed during the period of exacerbation of the pathology, which is accompanied by severe pain. Such drugs have many side effects. Therefore, they must be prescribed by a doctor. Most often, they prescribe Baralgin or Pentalgin.
• Muscle relaxants. Such remedies help to cope with muscle spasms. This allows you to eliminate discomfort. This category includes Mydocalm, Sirdalud.
• Glucocorticosteroids. These are hormonal agents that help to cope with inflammation and improve the functions of the nervous system. The drug Ambene is very effective.

In addition to drugs, the following therapeutic methods are used:

• Physiotherapy. Performing specific exercises will help strengthen your muscles. This helps to form the correct posture, increase the flexibility of the ligaments and prevent the complications of osteochondrosis. Gymnastics improves blood circulation, normalizes metabolic processes, increases the distance between the vertebrae and reduces the load on them.
• Manual therapy. This includes the use of individual manual techniques to manage pain and improve posture. This type of treatment restores motor activity, normalizes blood flow, strengthens the immune system and activates metabolic processes.
• Massage. This procedure can have a relaxing or toning effect on the body. With its help, the load on the muscles can be reduced, blood flow can be stimulated, and lymphatic drainage can be activated. The massage is both pain-relieving and restorative.
• Physiotherapy. For lumbar osteochondrosis, ultrasound, low-frequency currents and a magnetic field are used. This helps to cope with pain, relieves inflammation and normalizes blood circulation. Physiotherapy products stimulate healing processes and increase the effectiveness of medicines.

Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis

To avoid the appearance of lumbar osteochondrosis, follow the basic recommendations:

• avoid hypothermia of the lower back;
• control posture;
• exercise;
• changing body position during monotonous work;
• refuses to lift heavy objects;
• Healthy food.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is a common pathology that causes dangerous complications. In order to reduce the symptoms of the disorder, it is necessary to consult a neurologist in time. The doctor performs diagnostic tests and selects the appropriate therapy.

How is the treatment done in a modern clinic?

Medical consultation: medical history, myofascial diagnostics, functional diagnostics.

How is it going?

Anamnesis collection - analysis of the disease, determination of limitations and contraindications, description of the principles of kinesitherapy, characteristics of the recovery period.

Myofascial diagnostics is a manual diagnostic method in which the doctor assesses the range of joint movements, determines painful tension, swelling, hypo- or hypertonia of the muscles and other changes.

Functional diagnostics (in the rehabilitation room) - the doctor explains how to perform certain exercises on the equipment and observes: how the patient performs them, what range of motion he can work with, what movements cause pain, what weight the patient can work with, how the heart reactsand vascular system. Identification of problem areas. The data is transferred to the card. Accents are set.

Based on the results of the initial examination by the doctor and the functional diagnostics, a preliminary individual treatment program is prepared.

It is advisable to bring with you:

• in case of spinal pain - MRI or CT (magnetic resonance or computed tomography) of the problem area;
• in case of joint pain - X-ray;
• in the presence of accompanying diseases - extracts from the medical history or the outpatient card;
• comfortable (sports) clothes and shoes

Lessons with an instructor

At the beginning of the treatment cycle, the doctor and the patient draw up a treatment plan, which includes the date of the treatment and the medical follow-up (usually 2-3 times a week).

The treatment process is based on treatments in the rehabilitation room with simulators and treatments in the gym.

The rehabilitation simulators allow the exact dosing of the load of each muscle group, ensuring adequate physical activity. The doctor compiles the treatment program individually for each patient, taking into account the characteristics of the body. Supervision is carried out by qualified instructors. At every stage of recovery, it is important to follow the correct movement and breathing technique, you must know the body weight standards when working on exercise machines, you must follow the prescribed treatment regimen and you must follow the recommendations of specialists.

Joint gymnastics helps restore visual coordination, improves joint mobility and flexibility (flexibility) of the spine, and is an excellent preventive system for self-use.

Each treatment cycle consists of 12 sessions. Each lesson is supervised by an instructor. A treatment lasts from 40 minutes to 1. 5 hours. The instructor compiles a program, taking into account the accompanying diseases and the patient's daily status. It teaches the technique of performing the exercises and monitors the correct execution. A second consultation with the doctor is held every 6 hours, changes and additions are made to the program depending on the dynamics.

How many cycles does it take? – for everyone individually

Important to know:

• How long has this problem existed (stage of the disease)
• How does your body prepare for physical activity (do you exercise or play sports)

If the disease is in an early stage and the body is prepared, one treatment cycle is sufficient. (example - 20-30-year-old young people who go to sports. We focus their attention on the technique of performing exercises, breathing, stretching, excluding "bad" exercises that damage problem areas. Such patients participate in training and receive the skill of "taking care of their body", getrecommendations in case of exacerbation and continue learning independently).

If the problem has existed for a long time, you do not exercise or you have accompanying diseases, you will need a different period:

• Alleviate the aggravation? One or two cycles is enough
• Restoring function, walking without stopping (climbing stairs), stooping, performing certain tasks without effort, staying immobile for long periods while traveling, improving general condition Three or more treatment cycles may be required

Every body is unique and the program is unique to each patient.